Laundry Room Series: Cleaning a Top-Loading Washing Machine

Your washing machine probably works hard for you, and rarely, or let's admit, never, gets a scrub of its own. It woks tirelessly, scrubbing, rinsing, scrubbing, rinsing, for you, and gets nothing in return. Oh, that sounds so sad! Seriously, though, your washer probably has some build up in places you can and can't see and could use a good cleaning a couple times a year. I just got a used top-loading washer that was all fixed up by my appliance guy, so I figured it was a good time to try this out. Here are instructions for cleaning a front-loading washer.

The process can take up to 3 hours or more, but I started late, so I reduced the soak times suggested. The post where I found this idea also suggested bleach, but that's harsh and toxic. Pure oxygen probably does a better job anyway. Here's how to clean your washing machine:

1. Fill the machine with cold water, as if you're beginning a long wash cycle.
2. Add 1/2 cup of pure oxygen to the water.
3. Soak (pause the wash cycle) for 1 hour.
4. Run the wash cycle you began.
5. Fill the machine with warm water, as if you're beginning a long wash cycle.
6. Add 4 cups of distilled white vinegar.
7. Soak (pause the wash cycle) for 1 hour.
8. Put on some gloves, grab a scrub brush, and scrub around in your machine.
9. Pull out any compartments on top and clean those. You may need a vacuum with an attachment to get into some areas well.
10. Run the wash cycle you began. 

All done!! I have a sparkling washing machine now!! Do you?

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Have you ever cleaned your washing machine? What was your method?